“I am deeply concerned about reports from some of our trial courts that immigration agents appear to be stalking undocumented immigrants in our courthouses to make arrests,” she wrote in the letter as reported by Reuters. “Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our country’s immigration law.”

Justice Cantil-Sakuyae’s letter emphasized that courthouses exist “to ensure fairness and protect legal rights.” Creating an atmosphere of fear in and around the courts undermines the rights of undocumented immigrants who pose no threats to the public.